Cycling

Cycling and colour!

UVic is a bike friendly campus

The university offers an abundance of amenities for cyclists: convenient and a variety of bike parking spots, lots of showers and change rooms, lockers, route maps, safety brochures, bike maintenance and repair skills workshop info, links to local advocacy groups, bike loans and rental, and hosting cycling and safety campaigns.

Campus Cycling Plan

The university has developed its first Campus Cycling Plan, and is committed to a campus where everyone can safely ride their bikes and walk no matter where they are headed.

Campus Bike Centre

The Campus Bike Centre (CBC) is the HUB for all things cycling on campus. Keep your bike warm and dry, rent lockers (bike and gear), use the bike kitchen (self-service fix-it station) and check out SPOKES bike loan program headquarters.

The entrance to is at ground level (facing BEC) of the University Centre (UVC) and is open 24/7. The space is brightly lit and video recorded.

SPOKES is a unique bicycle upcycling and loan program where volunteers give new life to and use of old bikes. Since 2003, SPOKES has been innovatively diverting waste, improving community health and taking action on climate change.

Services:

Bike loans

Bike rentals

Bike sales

Gear and helmet sales

Bike repair assistance

Returns

Bike donations

Visit the SPOKES website for more information, hours of operation, and volunteering opportunities.

Once you're here

Indoor bike parking is located in the Campus Bike Centre (under the UVC) and at the Bike Parkade (corner of McKenzie & Gabriola near CARSA) - both are open 24 hours per day, brightly lit and video recorded.

There are also many covered and sheltered spots around the academic and administrative buildings. Students living on campus have access to student housing bike storage rooms as well.

Need to fix your bike? There is a self-service bike kitchen and hand air pump in the Campus Bike Centre.

There are nearly 150 bicycle lockers at UVic, including in the Campus Bike Centre (indoor) and across campus (outdoor). Bike lockers are available for students, faculty and staff who are living off campus.

Indoor clothing and gear lockers are large enough to hold bike bags, helmets, clothing, books, etc. and are located in many academic buildings, the Campus Bike Centre, and at our two campus recreational facilities.

There are four free designated electric bike charging stations on campus. All stations are on a first come first serve basis.

Look for the small green sign:

Inside location:

Campus Bike Centre (near the vertical rack stands)

Outside locations:

David Strong Building (DSB)

Human and Social Development Building (HSD)

Visual Arts Building (VIA)

Get geared up to cycle!

Take good care of your bicycle by making sure you have a U-lock (instead of a cable lock). Remember to get your bike engraved and registered in case it is lost or stolen. This free service is available at Campus Security.

Forgot your bike lock? No worries! Visit the Loans Desk at either the McPherson Library or the Fraser Law Library and they will loan you a lock (free of charge!) for three days. Borrow a bike lock the same as you borrow a book.

Buy a lock

New locks for sale at SubText in the SUB building and at the UVic Bookstore. Sometimes you can buy at lock at SPOKES in the CBC.

Tip! Use a U-lock instead of a cable lock - protect your bike from thieves.

To help in finding your bike if it's stolen or lost, have your bike engraved and registered at Campus Security. This service is free of charge. Your bike will be identified with your Driver's License number or your UVic student/employee number. Campus Security will then register your information in their secure computer system.

Plan your route

In Victoria, over 95% of the transit fleet has bicycle racks on board, so it is easy to make cycling a part of your regular commute. There are 3 basic steps involved in putting your bike on the rack. Check out this instructional video from BC Transit on how to load your bike.

The next time you are at the bus loop on campus, try out the racks on a parked bus.

Get involved

UVic supports many cycling activities and campaigns such as Bike to Work Week, Don't Smash Your Pumpkin, Lighten Up! and #sharethespace ... to name a few. Want to participate? Visit our Campaigns page on how to get involved. Mingle with fellow cyclists and bike pros at local shops.